Flight paths picked by pilots could make your journey faster

Flight paths picked by pilots could make your journey faster

Airservices Australia will trial 'user-preferred routing’, allowing pilots to propose optimal flight paths, across almost 40 routes between Australia-New Zealand and Indonesia-Singapore. An RMIT expert explains the benefits of this method.

Dr Annie Liang

“Routes are typically determined by waypoints. That is, how a pilot should fly within a set of possible routes between departure and destination airports. These are decided in a collaborative effort by airlines, airports, governments and regulators.  

"User-preferred routing allows pilots to propose a new flight path based on the weather conditions and other prevailing conditions. These routes would still need to be approved by air traffic control, which ensures the safety of aircraft in approved airspace.

"We know this method is already being used in Australian-managed airspace, but international routes are far more complex.  

"There are several benefits to rolling this out more broadly, including saving fuel and time. Passengers would likely have a better experience with improved on-time arrival and departure performance.

"However, it will require a coordinated effort, and step-by-step trials and training will be neccessary before this is implemented more widely." 

Dr Annie Liang is a senior lecturer in Aerospace Engineering and Aviation at RMIT University. She has expertise air traffic management, safety and sustainability.

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General media enquiries: RMIT External Affairs and Media, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

08 August 2024

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08 August 2024

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